Variations on Chan Mali Chan seeks to honour the lives of Singapore's everyday unsung heroes, and the variations depict the various stages of life. It begins with the innocence of childhood, and then proceeds into the bold energy of youth. Passionate love is then found, followed by the industrious work life. Age then catches up and with that comes death. A grand chorale then celebrates the complete life of the common men as heroes to society, and a very rapid flourish closes the work.

Variations on Chan Mali Chan was premiered by Joe Burgstaller with the Singapore Wind Symphony under the baton of Adrian Tan.